Happy 2 Years Together!

I love you cwapface!

=)

Completely Handmade Gift

Whew! I have always wanted to make everyone's gift for Christmas...but some things you just can't make...especially boy gifts. Anyway, this year I made a whole gift for my sister-in-law (Mike's sister) by hand! ...And hopefully she doesn't have a link to this or else I just ruined what her gift is! Oh, well. I am just so proud of it...I would keep it if it didn't have Carolyn's name on it.
Here's the basket...


Handmade book with helicopters that I laboriously collected from the parking lot and cut a window in the binder's board for. Sorry I didn't flip the picture.
Custom gift tags that I designed...


With matching thank you cards all wrapped up with envelopes.
It doesn't seem like much now that I post about it, but all this took several days of work! I am glad I went to the effort though. I guess it's always a good sign of a good gift when you don't want to give it away.

The Incredible, Dangerous, Freaking Ridiculous, ARCTIC BLAST!

I was sound asleep Sunday morning until Michael lovingly shook me half to death and said, "Guess what?!!"

"..whut..." as I wiped eyeboogies from my tearducts.

"It's Christmas!"

I sleep pretty dang good-I actually consider myself quite talented in the area of sleeping-but I am not that good! "..uh..what? no it's not..."

Michael was as giddy as a school boy. "But it is snowing outside!!"

"hmm...hopefully they'll cancel church!" I said very sarcastically, but I did have my hopes up.

I try to go back to sleep, although it was already 9 o'clock in the morning. But to no avail. Another shaking came about a half hour later. "Church is cancelled!"

With enough snow to make things white, they really did cancel church! I was in shock, but I was so happy I didn't have to prepare a lesson! Yes, shoot me with lightning now, but however cute those kids are...and how much they make you laugh...they are tiring!

Not only was church cancelled, so were Michael's Monday finals! And today's finals! Tomorrow's weather doesn't look any better...maybe those finals will be cancelled too!

Besides the news sounding like the world is closing up and practically ending in the Northwest, not much else is going on. We just hope Saturday will be good enough weather to travel home for Christmas!

Recent Happenings

We went to the WSCC Gala (Formal Party) last Saturday...mmmm such good food!

Then Sunday was Michael's birthday! We had a few friends over for dinner--Michael requested pizza, so we did sun-dried tomato pesto pizza and regular pepperoni/salami/whatever toppings people wanted pizza. In all I made 8 pizzas (for only 7 people) and only had a few slices of leftovers (which are all gone but 2!). Piggy piggies. =)

Since Michael doesn't like chocolate (or regular cake all that much) I made angel food cake! With whipped cream and strawberry topping. It was yummo. (Don't confuse the look on my face for boredom...that's just the way I look!)Happy 26th!

Probably one of the best movies of all time

..and it doesn't even need to be Christmas time to watch it.

Busy Busy Busy!

4 days to Michael's birthday.

22 days until Christmas.

25 days until our 2 year anniversary.

Where did all the time go?!?! I haven't gotten all of Michael's birthday gifts let alone shopped for Christmas! AH!

Happy Early Turkey Day!

I am doing this post early since Michael just informed me that he really does want to make the trip to Wyoming for Thanksgiving after all...tonight....starting at 1 am. Practically his entire family is going to be in town--which is A LOT of people.

Turkey Day Thanks. Portland and the ghetto that we live in has made me truly grateful for the lifestyle that the gospel creates. We know where we come from and we know where we are going. I worked with a girl that was 18, had a 2 year old and was pregnant again and not by the same father as her 2 year old. I can't imagine what her life must be like. I don't know what I would do without the temple, scriptures, the priesthood, and knowing how to pray. I am thankful for Joseph Smith and the courage he had to restore Christ's Church, and I am thankful for our modern day prophet and the words of love, peace, and warning he gives.

Although it's not the easiest calling, I love teaching the 6 year olds, because they often teach me so much. I am thankful for their innocence and honesty.

I am thankful for my family--the memories we've created, the fights we've had, and the advice they give. I am thankful for Michael. He may not be perfect, but neither am I. I can't imagine life without him.

My list could go on forever, on down to being thankful for cheesecake--honestly, who doesn't like cheesecake? But I hope you all have an awesome Thanksgiving with family/friends. BYE!

I am free!

After 3 days I really did quit. Don't judge me because, I FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT IT!

Slightly Disappointed

I was so sad when I couldn't take the job I have now at JCP Portrait Studio that when I did get I was super excited. Now...not so much. After 3 days and learning the inner workings of this slave trade, I have no respect for studios anymore. You definitely don't get what you pay for and my first day I worked 10 hours with only a 30 minute break (which by the way is illegal). You get 10 minutes of pictures (which is only about 15 photographs to choose from...so if you do individuals of your kids and then all of you together...that leaves you with about 3 of each kind of picture to choose from). All this will run you $10 a person (even if you don't buy any pictures) plus the $150 for prints that really aren't that great, but you feel obligated to buy something.

I applied to be a photographer, but so far I have been a salesperson, receptionist, and babysitter. I finally touched the camera for the first time yesterday. I haven't really ever had a crappy job--now I really know that it's not worth how you feel when you go home to have a crappy job. I might quit after this week if I can get another job. We'll see.

Hooray!

So, I guess I do have a job! I declined it because I couldn't/wouldn't work on Sundays, but I guess they need people to work! Woohoo! They called me back (again) and I start Wednesday.

What a Busy Sunday!

Yesterday felt like anything but a day of rest!--But it was a good day! We woke up early to finish our talks (I still can't believe I didn't give a lame excuse to get out of it) and prepare our primary lesson for our 6-year-olds. By the time we did this and got ready for church it was time to leave! I was going to eat some lunch before we left (church is at 1pm), but I was just too nervous about speaking in church to eat.

After I gave my talk I ended up feeling sooo hungry, but wrestling with our primary kids was even more fun! We only had 2, but they made the worst pair! During sharing time, one would turn around to look at this kid behind him (who was no help in this situation) while the other poked him in the eye...one got chosen as a helper to sing a song and then randomly flopped on the floor like a fish...he would shout things while it was reverent time..ah!

Then our lesson was on forgiveness and how Jesus forgave those who put him on the cross. They are typical 6-year-old boys and ALWAYS relate everything to superman, batman, etc and how you should chop the bad guys' heads off, punch them in the face, or whatever. When we asked "Would Jesus fight bad guys?" this kid answers, "No, because he didn't have swords or guns." Like it was common sense. We tried so hard not to laugh! It makes so much sense, but so not the right answer. I just wonder what they say to their parents when they ask what they learned in primary. haha.

I just wanted to go home, get into my PJ's and have a quiet dinner, but we signed up to have the missionaries over! Michael dropped me off while he when with the missionaries to an appointment. I open our door to find a complete mess! I am rushing all over to take things up stairs, empty the dishwasher to just load it again, and cleaning off the table. As I was putting dishes away I see Michael's car coming through the gate! They weren't supposed to be here for another hour!

Anywho, I was in quite the rush to get dinner even started, but it ended up being good and Michael even found out he and one of the missionaries are 2nd cousins once removed (Michael's Dad's cousin is the Elder's grandpa). Crazy.

At the end of the day, this is how I felt.

Don't waste your time!

I give this movie a D-. Why just short of an F? Because the costuming and setting was amazing. They were obviously going for a more modern day tone, contemporary music to update the subject--but in the meantime forgot to put in a plot, story line, and meaningful dialogue. Anything that was supposed to be an emotional scene meant absolutely nothing due to the lack of character development. I couldn't understand or relate to any of the characters and actually hoped someone would die to make the movie more interesting, but no such luck. This is about equal to Cloverfield, except this movie didn't give me motion sickness.

Dilema of the Week

I know you all have heard me complain complain complain about job hunting and finding a job, etc. Well, I got a call back and an interview last week and they called me back today to offer me a job! I was so excited even though it is a seasonal job! Until I asked if I had to work on Sunday. "Maybe a few, like 4 or 5". So, I look on my calendar to see the percentage of Sundays I would have to work...there's only 7 until Christmas. A few Sundays? Pshh, practically every Sunday. Would you sell your salvation for $9/hour. I personally don't think it's worth it.

Love,
Mrs. Unemployed

Halloween & Couches

So, I did promise pictures of our awesome couches. And today I discovered that they truly are awesome! I found some phantom sticky candy stuff that looked like it was going to be a tough one to clean...it came off so easy with just a damp towel! No residue, no spot that is cleaner than the rest of the couch...nothing. You can see our other green loveseat, we have yet to sell, all lonesome in the corner. It really comes in handy though when we have a lot of people over.

Anyway, on to the more AWESOME part of my post...HALLOWEEN!

We didn't actually get a picture of ourselves in our costumes, but Chelsea did (thanks...I stole this from your blog!). We were Peanut Butter and Jelly. I made the shirts myself...hand painted thank you very much. The little boy is Benson (Chelea's little guy) and he has taken quite a liking to Michael.


After the WSCC party (where the above picture was taken) we finally carved our pumpkins!!! It's practically a tradition to do Nightmare Before Christmas ones for us. Michael did Mr. Oogie Boogie and I did the other two Jack pumpkins, although the one with Jack standing on the swirl was a repeat performance from last year.



Beautiful!

Happy Halloween!

AH! Today we can finally carve our pumpkins! This is my FAVORITE part of Halloween! We were going to do them Monday, but Michael had a test today and wanted the evenings for studying (since he's in class all day). I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL WEEK! Now you have to wait for pictures. =)

My cute niece and nephews

Remember when we went down to Vegas for Kevin's baby blessing in August and he looked like this...
He's gotten so big! In just 3 months! What a behemoth!

Yes!

I have a stinkin' job interview today! I'm not having too high of hopes in actually getting the job (this is the pessimism in me speaking), but at least it is one call back out of 10 or so odd jobs that I applied for.

I just don't want to hear about being "over-qualified". Yeah, I might leave your crappy job for something more related to my field, but honestly, if I am applying it means I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE SO THERE'S NOTHING FOR ME TO LEAVE FOR!

k, toodles!

Tagged. Again.

8 TV Shows I Watch:
1. The Office
2. Almost anything on Food Network
3. SNL
4. Heroes
5. House
6. Chuck
7. Oprah
8. What Not To Wear (usually merely out of boredom)

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. I sure do miss Cafe Rio
2. Olive Garden
3. Fusion (but it's only in Provo)
4. Makino's (Las Vegas)
5. (this is starting to get hard...) Jamba Juice
6. J Dawgs (also only in Provo)
7. Cold Stone
8. A gourmet pizza place in Portland...I forgot what it's called

8 Things that happened yesterday:
1. I applied for a job
2. I applied for another job
3. I got sad
4. So, I applied again, for yet another job
5. I went to Walmart to buy pumpkins!
6. I ate too many Halloween cookies
7. Watched Chuck & Heroes with NO commercials. thank you DVR.
8. Did a mini FHE

Things I look forward to:
1. Getting a NICE, well-paying job
2. Having kids
3. Owning llamas
4. Carving pumpkins on Friday afternoon!
5. Having a real backyard
6. Not having to pay rent ever again/owning a house
7. Getting out of the house
8. Michael graduating WSCC

8 Things on my wish list:
1. A dainty laugh instead of my loud laugh
2. Laser Hair removal
3. Chairs for our kitchen table (ha we're lame and still use padded folding chairs)
4. New digital SLR camera...
5. A husband who will do laundry and dishes
6. A full ride scholarship to Culinary School
7. To be someone's personal chef
8. Confidence to do things I dream of

8 People I admire:
1. President Monson
2. Michael
3. Mom
4. Dad
5. Kids, for their blunt honesty
6. People who don't complain who could have sooo much to complain about
7. Charlotte from Charlotte's web
8. Anyone who's real name is Richard, but goes by "Dick"

8 Random things:
1. I am hungry
2. I think it's never a good idea to paint your walls purple
3. This has taken me longer to do than it should
4. I sometimes forget to feed Penny fresh veggies, but I don't feel bad b/c she's fat and has guinea food in her house
5. It bugs me when people rub their hands together when they are nervous
6. I sometimes pretend I am on the Truman show b/c I am bored
7. Public Speaking is my worst enemy
8. Michael and I are probably getting callings in our new ward tonight.

I tag whoever has read this.

Tag. You're IT.

Sixth picture of my sixth album. Camping up Logan Canyon.

This is the reason I get out of bed every morning

what a cheese.

I read a book!

No, I am not dyslexic or anything, and I can read.

But I haven't been able to sit down and a read a fiction book from cover to cover since high school. The combination of not having any time during college (taking 18 credits a semester, doing both Michael's and my laundry (at a laundromat), preparing both our lunches, and cooking dinner almost every night) and that fact that all you do in college is read kind of turned me off to wanting to read in my spare time. I have about 3 books I have started time and time again, but have not finished them.

I am also not really all that hyped about Stephenie Meyer (or Harry Potter, etc.). When you hear these names more than people you actually know...it gets quite annoying. Anyway, I have to confess that I got so bored in Wyoming that I broke down and read The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

And I actually finished it this week! The verdict: it was good. Not amazing or life changing, but good for passing the time. And if you're the philosophical type, it makes you really think about what makes us human, and what would be ethical if something were to come bodysnatch us.

I think we live on the wrong side of the tracks...

Michael and I are cheap. There's no way around that fact. I fully admit that we take full advantage of DI, Savers, and now, Salvation Army, but we do have taste (or atleast I hope so). We scavenge for the good, tags still on, name brand stuff--so quit your "ew"ing.

I have never felt uncomfortable in such stores (although sometimes I feel a little overdressed and clean), except for today. I found some new lucky brand jeans for $4! Beat that Down East Outfitters. I wanted to try them on to see if they would fit. I searched all four corners of the store to find a sign for fitting rooms. Nothing. Well, should I just buy the pants in hopes that they fit? But then if they don't fit, I just wasted my precious $4. What kind of store does not have dressing rooms? Even thrift stores have dressing rooms.

In the middle of my internal conversation, Michael comes over with his pair of jeans he found. As I ask him about the lack of fitting rooms, my eyes wander to a 3 by 4 foot area in the font corner that was surrounded by old nasty drapes/shower curtains pinned together with hangers and clothes pins. That is the dressing room?!?!

You've got to be kidding me.

I used Michael as my guard, as this "dressing room" was next to the men's section, the curtains we rather shear, and how the crap do you knock to know if someone's in there? I tried on the pants and stepped in a wet spot (I didn't even want to know what it was...).

After humbling myself to such a dressing room, getting my sock sopping wet, and hoping some dirty old man couldn't sneak a peak, I came out with a nice pair of pants. What would you do for nice pants?

My Dearest Michael

I found these books while packing up to move. The "do-it-yourself handyman encyclopedia" and the "how it works science and invention encyclopedia". This does not surprise me at all, but made me laugh so hard! These are like Michael's life guidebooks; they explain him inside and out.

He admitted these were one of the first books he actually read...or attempted to read and just looked at the pictures. I should've also taken a picture of one of Michael's first "inventions"--a popscicle splitter...you know, for the conjoined kind. He hasn't changed much since then, just dreams bigger. =)

I am thinking this genius inventor/DIY thing runs in your genes. These were once Brian's (Michael's brother's) books--and Brian's son (hopefully I heard this story right, Gayle) used to read the vaccuum manual. Hmm...maybe one of our kids will "inherit the gene".

So I do a little shoplifting...

So, as you know Michael and I bought new couches (pictures soon I promise...I just want to get everything put away before I take pictures). We also wanted a coffee table and something a little sturdier to put the TV on. Something inexpensive and can also be used as something else later on if we ever get the chance to build our own stuff back in Wyoming (which is way cheaper for our taste in furniture. We can't bring ourselves to pay for vanier covered chipboard when we have relatives with a cabinet shop).

Someone suggested IKEA. Why didn't I think of that? Well, after getting lost in the store, trying not to get distracted by such cute furniture, and making mental notes of how I could do curtains, we picked out these guys.

A side table (which we are currently using as a coffee table) and a coffee table (that is holding up our TV). We found the DIY sets, plopped them in our cart, and checked out. To Do List: get TV stand...CHECK.

But too bad I had to go make a fool of myself at IKEA today to bring back the second side table we picked up on accident and didn't ring up at the self checkout. oops.

Greetings from Portland, Oregon!

We made it here safe and sound! And it's been raining ever since! It really doesn't bother me, except for the bad hair (thanks Sis. Layton for the heads up!).

We've been settling in the last couple of days, unpacking, hanging out with the neighbors, and even bought new couches! We've had this one green love seat (which I really like), but we couldn't find another couch to match it. We desperately needed more seating...it was always awkward when home teachers would come over--we'd pull out our office chairs or table chairs so everyone would have place to sit. Anywho, pictures will be coming soon.
Our couches are very similar to this set...just imagine it in couch and loveseat form.

I am really liking Portland so far. Our neighbors, who are also LDS and starting chiropractic school, are really nice. Several of them helped us move in and others even came knocking on our door to meet us and introduce themselves! I was impressed. Not even in Wyview, where everyone in the complex is in your ward, would people introduce themselves. They seem like nice people.

I have also been tagged, so here it goes!

10 YEARS AGO I...
1. was a huge trouble maker
2. thought every boy I liked could possibly be my future husband (thank goodness they aren't!)
3. spent more time on the phone than doing my homework
4. never matched my socks because I thought it was a waste of time
5. was first chair for flute in band (this matches so well with #1, huh?)

FIVE THINGS ON MY TO DO LIST FOR TODAY/TOMORROW...
1. unpack more boxes
2. job hunt
3. switch over the power to our name
4. feed Penny
5. feed Michael

FIVE SNACKS THAT I ENJOY...
1. grapes
2. cheese (NOT nasty cheese or cheese product)
3. Dove chocolate
4. Avacado sandwiches (toast, avacado, garlic, salt)
5. smoothies

FIVE THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE...
1. Buy a house (too predictable, huh?) with an awesome kitchen
2. Pay off our student loans we just took out (woohoo, we made it until post-bachelor's to take these out...) and pay for the rest of Michael's schooling
3. Visit Romanian orphanages for an extended period of time/change someone's life
4. Buy some llamas and sheep, of course...who wouldn't?
5. Go to culinary school

FIVE PLACES I HAVE LIVED...
1. Woodbridge, VA
2. Tokyo, Japan
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Provo, UT
5. Thayne, WY

FIVE JOBS I HAVE HAD
1. Custodial for KBYU (seriously one of the funnest jobs I've had)
2. Jello's wedding photographer
3. Dad's "secretary"
4. Home builder (...doing random stuff on that house we built and sold in Thayne)
5. Invitation/Announcement designer

I tag you.

And His Name Shall Be

RALPH!

Michael sold his silver Jetta before we moved up here to Wyoming so we could buy and fix up Carolyn (Michael's sis) & Gerry's blue Jetta. Since, the blue Jetta is practically fixed (it runs, but not completely smooth) I decided we should give it a name. It's just too much to say "the blue Jetta". Here's the conversation we had...

Me- How about Ralph?

Michael-Ralph?!? That's a wussy name.

Me- Nah ah!

Michael- It needs something more manly...

Me- Okay, my car will be named Ralph. =)

Michael- (Laughs at my stupidity and the fact that I am so attached to the name Ralph) I had a bus driver once named Ralph

Me- Then you know how good of a name it is.

Deanne chimes in- But that's a boy name

Me- Yeah...

Deanne- Isn't it a girl?

I don't know when cars began to be boys and girls, but then again I've never checked under the hood that far. Anyway, my car will no longer be an '01 Corolla. It's Ralph. Maybe Ralph and I will go for a ride later on....

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

So I lied. We're not moving today after all. The 12 hour journey has been postponed to Tuesday, because we found an apartment! Hooray! We've been wanting to rent in the same complex as Devin (Michael's friend who's also going to WSCC) but nothing has been available. As soon as we made our plans to go up early, they call and change our plans! --For the better of course.

I also finished my quilt! Thanks to Deanne (mother-in-law)! She let me use her sewing machine to finish the binding. I made a king size one for our queen bed, because Michael tends to be a blanket hog (although he claims I give him the covers).

This is the front. I designed the pattern, which turned out to be a pain in the butt with the quilt being so big. It also makes an optical illusion that it's not square, but it's square--I promise.


This is the back. It's harder than you think to make something look random. I also mixed up a few blocks when putting it together and there ended up being three black squares right in a row! Grr. Oh, well. If I hadn't told you, you might not have noticed....

ABC Me

I saw this on someone else's blog, so I copied it

A = ADVOCATE FOR: eating lots of chocolate whenever you feel like it
B = BEST FEATURE: um I like my ears?
C = COULDN'T DO WITHOUT: back massages and nice socks
D = DREAMS AND DESIRES: have kids and get over my fear of how that thing comes OUT, own my own business (however small or big), climb Mt. Fuji, and have someone name their kid after me
E = ESSENTIAL ITEM: cranberry-raspberry juice
F= FAVORITE PAST TIME: making stuff, whether it be food, crafts, or art
G = GOOD AT: cooking and organizing
H = HAVE NEVER TRIED: streaking or skinny dipping
I = IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: I would totally buy some llamas and sheep
J = JUNKIE FOR: food and books that I never end up reading
K = KINDRED SPIRIT: what? oh, probably Michael. We're both tied blue-whites (Color Code personality test). I would say that's pretty rare.
L = LITTLE KNOWN FACT: I like the smell of bell peppers, but I don't like the taste of them.
M = MEMORABLE MOMENT: When we missed our own wedding luncheon because we decided to check into our hotel early (upon request of my parents so we wouldn't have to wait in line late that night after our reception) and there was tons of traffic on our way back. Everyone thought...you probably know what everyone thought...anyway. And for the record, nothing happened.
N = NEVER AGAIN WILL I: check into my hotel early on my wedding day
O = OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: Buying new shoes while Michael is out of town
Q = QUOTE: "O be wise, what can I say more?"
R = REASON TO SMILE: when you've been caught...looking innocent goes a long way
S = SORRY ABOUT: buying new shoes while you where out of town
T = TAG SOME FRIENDS: that's dumb
U = UNINTERESTED IN: extreme fighting, doing the dishes, and fake nails
V = VERY SCARED OF: going to the bathroom in the woods...at night...alone
W = WORST HABIT: having the best intentions of doing something and forgetting
X = X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: somewhere I haven't been and especially somewhere where there's not a lot of people (I like camping...)
Y = YESTERYEAR DECADE OF CHOICE: 40's, they had cute shoes
Z = ZODIAC SIGN: Leo

We're Moving

Again. For the third time in four months. Portland, Oregon here we come!

Michael is going to Western States Chiropractic College for his Doctorate, and I am going to...well, I don't know yet! I am looking for a job (hopefully in the graphic design area)...so, if you have any suggestions on where to look that would be greatly appreciated. I have been looking on Craigslist, but my only problem is so many places want people with tons of experience, something I am looking to get.

We haven't found an apartment/house yet either, so we're going up a week early (we're leaving on Thursday and orientation is the next Thursday). We've been looking for the past 2 months or so, but can't seem to pre-pay for something we've never seen.

Besides getting ready to move again, I have been making a quilt for our bed and taking random pictures (which I would post, but the connection here is too slow for so much picture uploading). I got my quilt back from being quilted, and the only thing I have left to do is bind it (woohoo!). Too bad my sewing machine is no longer in operation. I only have a little more to do and it pooped out on me! hmph. It's at a "repair shop" right now (if you can call a 96-year-old man's house a repair shop). I am hoping it can't be fixed (or is too expensive to fix), because I already have one picked out that I want to get.I should really be more worried about my laptop that still doesn't turn on, but I'm not. I am kind of angry with it and want to leave it outside for a skunk to poop on. That'll teach it a lesson. I sent it in to get it fixed, just for it to come back in the same condition.

Thank you for letting me vent. I'll let you know when we've moved into our super-cute apartment, and I'll tell you about my super-awesome job. Till then, toodles.

Fearing the Inevitable

I just got back from tying quilts with the Thayne Ward Relief Society. I have never felt so young and able in all my life, but at the same time I am really not looking forward to getting old! The whole time all I heard was "Oh, my arthritus"..."My bones are killin' me"..."I have got to keep usin' my hands or else I'm gonna lose'em"..."So, how did Dorothy's hip replacement go?"..."If I sit for very long I can't move!"..."Well, the great grandkids..." AH!

Someone please find the fountain of youth or kill me before I have to wear diapers.

Summer Stuff

We're in Las Vegas right now, melting away in the 110 degree weather. Kevin, our newest nephew, had his baby blessing last Sunday.
As you can tell, Michael enjoys Kevin. He really likes babies. The pressure is on...and from more than just him... Who knows, this could be us in a few years.

Michael can't wait to go back to Star Valley and get out of this heat, but I'd rather stay here. Hmph...compromise compromise. My parents have had him busily working on the Harry Potter room (he cut through a wall into some dead space and made a small storage room under the stairs) and both of their cars.

Here's some random pictures from this summer for the lack of anything better to post.

Olivia enjoying the water from the hose (as she sits in a puddle that an electrical cord is running through..)Fatty sandwich for such a small girl. This was at SevenPeaks a few weeks ago. Michael worked for the guy that owned the place so we got free tickets and took some family.
My birthday! With my awesome cake I made. A lot of people think it's sad that I make my own birthday cake, but for me it's sort of a tradition...I have been doing it since I was 12.

My license also expired on my birthday, and we didn't have a chance to renew it until we moved back to Wyoming. On our move up, Michael was exhausted and we were afraid he was going to fall asleep, so we switched drivers. I was driving for all of 5 minutes. The first time I have ever been pulled over I had an expired license. Great. I wasn't speeding, but my window tint is illegal in Utah (but not Nevada where it's licensed). I guess he figured he may get a drug bust or something with the suspicious dark tint and a paranoid driver that brakes around cops. He only found the two of us, and we were totally upfront about the license so he was nice and let us go!
And the newest addition to our family...Puinea! ("penny") Our guinea pig. She really enjoys grass hay, lettuce, carrots, back massages, and long walks on the beach. This was a bit of an early birthday gift for me. I have wanted a guinea pig for so long. While I was visiting in Las Vegas when Kevin was born, a family in my parents' ward was giving away this darling thing for free! Cage and all.Playing around with Jared's kids...




Shooting with Dad. I got the 10 (bullseye) at 10 yards. Don't try to rob our house!



The end.